Do You Need a Project Manager for a Self-Build in Sidmouth?

What a project manager actually does

On a self-build, a project manager is the person who turns drawings into a sequence of work. They book trades in the right order, check that each stage is finished before the next one starts, order materials so they arrive when they are needed rather than sitting in the rain for a fortnight, and deal with building control inspections. They are also the person who picks up the phone when the roofer is three days late and the scaffold hire is still running.

Good project managers also keep track of money. They check invoices against work actually done, flag variations before they become expensive surprises, and keep a running forecast so you know where the budget stands at every stage.

• Programming and sequencing trades
• Ordering materials and managing deliveries
• Arranging building control and warranty inspections
• Checking quality at each stage
• Tracking costs, variations and payments

Why Sidmouth plots can be harder than they look

Many building plots around Sidmouth are on slopes, particularly towards Salcombe Hill, Peak Hill and the upper parts of the Sid Valley. Sloping sites often need retaining walls, careful drainage design and more groundwork than a flat plot, and that is where budgets most often run over. Ground conditions vary too, with red marl and sandstone in places and softer ground lower down, so groundwork plans sometimes change once digging starts.

Access is another local issue. Narrow lanes and tight town streets can limit the size of delivery lorries and make skip and crane bookings harder. Parts of the town fall within a conservation area, and sites near the River Sid may carry flood risk conditions, both of which can add planning conditions from East Devon District Council that must be discharged before or during the build. Someone needs to keep on top of those conditions, because missing one can hold up the whole job.

When you could manage it yourself

Plenty of people manage their own self-build successfully. It tends to work best when you have a flexible job or are retired, live close to the site, and have some experience of building work or managing contractors. A simple design on a flat, accessible plot is far more forgiving than a split-level house on a steep bank.

Be realistic about the time. On a typical build of 9 to 15 months, expect to spend several hours a day on site visits, phone calls and paperwork during busy stages. If you work full time in Exeter or further afield, that can be very difficult to sustain.

Costs and the options in between

A full project manager on a self-build is often priced at somewhere around 5% to 15% of the build cost, depending on how involved they are and how complex the job is. Some work on a day rate instead. This is not cheap, but a good one can save money by avoiding delays, rework and ordering mistakes.

It is not all or nothing. Some self-builders hire a main contractor to take the house to a weathertight shell, then manage the fit-out themselves. Others pay for a few days of professional help at the start to set up a programme and budget, then run it themselves with occasional check-ins. These middle options often suit people who want control without taking on the riskiest stages alone.

Questions to ask before you hire anyone

Whoever you choose, ask to see self-builds they have run locally, and speak to those clients if you can. Ask how they handle variations, how often they will be on site, and who they answer to if things go wrong. Get the scope and fee in writing, and make sure you understand whether they are managing trades on your behalf or taking on responsibility for the build as a contractor, because the insurance and liability position is different.